Cal keeping quiet about QB situation ahead of Arizona State showdown

Ben Finley started vs. Washington and was knocked out; Sam Jackson V, the Week 1 starter, replaced him

BERKELEY, CA — Week 5 of the Cal football schedule has arrived, and questions about the quarterback position remain unanswered. As the Bears seek consistency at the position, Sam Jackson V and Ben Finley continue to compete for the starting job.

“We’re only going to be as good as our quarterback play,” said Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital.

Finley started at Washington last Saturday but was intercepted three times in the first half and was eventually knocked out with a sore lower back late in the third quarter. Jackson, who had started the season, came on to lead Cal to three touchdowns, all of which came in garbage time as the Huskies cruised to a 59-32 victory.

Jackson has completed 57.4 percent of his passes for 426 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while rushing for 63 yards. In his two starts for the Bears, he is 2-0. Finley, a pocket passer with a gunslinger mentality, has completed 62 percent of his passes for 533 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. Cal has a 0-2 record in his two starts.

“They each have about roughly two games under their belt for us to evaluate,” Wilcox stated. “Both of those guys, at their best, have the potential to be good players.” We simply need to improve our consistency at that position.”

Third-stringer Fernando Mendoza took some practice reps on Tuesday while Finley rested. However, Finley was expected to be available the rest of the week, and it is difficult to give reps to three quarterbacks during game week.

Nonetheless, Spavital stated that Mendoza will be ready if and when the opportunity arises. “He sees that there’s been inconsistent play.”

Pakistani pride for Bears kicker

Mateen Bhagani, Cal’s new placekicker, was born and raised in San Diego, where he surfed, skated, and played soccer and football in high school.

“I did it all,” he explained. “A typical San Diego boy.”

One thing was out of the ordinary. Despite the fact that both of his parents were born in Toronto, Bhaghani is of Pakistani descent.

He believes he is the only kicker with his family background in the Pac-12, if not the country.

“I do take pride in my heritage but I did grow up in San Diego,” he stated.

Bhaghani admits that at Del Norte High School and even when he was younger, “there weren’t many kids like me playing football — it was definitely different.” I feel like that inspired me to say, ‘I can be the first,’ and little kids who look like me to say, ‘Oh, I can kick.'”

It’s also a source of pride for his parents: “My parents are overjoyed. Obviously, it’s an incredible opportunity for my name and culture in general, simply shedding light on it,” he said.

After sophomore Michael Luckhurst struggled the first four weeks of the season, Bears coach Justin Wilcox named Bhaghani as Cal’s starting kicker this week. Luckhurst was 3 for 9 on field goal attempts and missed a pair of PAT kicks in the Bears’ 27-point loss to Washington last week. Bhaghani came on to convert the game’s final extra point.

Bhaghani says he and Luckhurst are still close friends, but he’s ready for his opportunity. “Everything has been working fantastically well together.” “I believe in what I can do and what our (kicking) unit can accomplish,” he said. “I’m confident.”

During his junior and senior years at Del Norte, Bhaghani made 15 of 18 field goals, including a San Diego-area record 53-yarder in the school’s Homecoming game. On PATs, he went 100 for 101.

Zero tackles but significant impact?

Brett Johnson, a redshirt junior defensive lineman, has returned after missing the previous two seasons due to a fractured hip and a torn ACL. Johnson, on the other hand, has no tackles and no defensive stats in four games.

What does it imply?

Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon stated that statistics do not always accurately reflect the performance of interior defensive linemen.

“When he has been out there I think he’s been disruptive,” Sirmon stated.

Johnson, who was named to the preseason Senior Bowl watch list, hadn’t played in 1,001 days when he took the field against North Texas in the season opener. In a shortened four-game season in 2020, he had 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one pass defended.

“I think it would be difficult to compare anybody to themselves after going through what he went through,” Wilcox stated. “Given the circumstances, I’m impressed with what he’s doing.” I believe he will continue to improve his game. But I’m not dissatisfied with the way he’s playing.”